San Diego California Boat Excursions, Cruises and Ticket Sales

USS Midway Museum allows tourists the chance to come aboard the craft pictured left. Located in a harbor where most the San Diego boat attractions depart, be sure to check out the Aircraft Carrier Memorial Garden, complete with an obelisk listing names of soldiers commemorated, and several beautiful bronze statues seen in upper right photo. Bottom right photo shows the walkway where tourists can stroll and look at cruise ships to Mexico, several ship museums, and cruises of every shape and offering.

What started out as a write up about San Diego's great boat rides in a larger piece on California boat rides and boat tickets, has nearly turned into a dissertation. We had no idea that so many fun water activities are available to tourists. From an America's Cup sailboat to a fancy dinner cruise (everything is actually casual in San Diego, so only get dressed up if you want), there are over a dozen boat rides, boat museum tours, and vessel attractions to whet your whistle, but not your clothes. These rides all provide good times and explore one of the boating capitals of the coast, San Diego, of course. If you doubt the claim that San Diego loves its boats, you need only attend the Christmas boat parade each December. The event goes on for hours.

We were by no means able to list all the boat experiences in San Diego in one single page. There are just too many private yachts, kayaks and other sorts of water offerings that can change according to seasons and viability of a concept. But San Diego has always loved its tourists, and there are about 100 reason on the bay to visit and take a ride in a boat or other sort of craft. If you have the time and patience to sort through the many options (over 300), here's the link. We grew tired after half an hour of looking, and decided to book one of the brunch cruises for a birthday trip and weekend vacation to this site's favorite getaway, beloved San Diego.

First, you should know that San Diego is all about boats. There are many military vessels in the San Diego , and shipyards abound, including one at Point Loma. With a larger than average population of retired Navy personnel living in San Diego and Coronado, the passion for the sea runs deep.

So as tourists, we can hop aboard a military vessel, USS Midway Museum, for a tour, view a museum on a ship that sits in the bay, or book rides on any number of cruises ranging from a sailboat to ferry, to large yachts. Loving the water is a way of life for San Diegans, and if you think there's too much of a good thing, think again.

Hornblower Dinner Cruise has really grown up and fattened its cruise offerings in San Diego during recent years. While many who know about this dinner cruise offering and regional buffet meals served about the boat, Hornblower offers a variety of boat rides in San Diego, including an hour-long tour, two hour rides (subject to change), and the Brunch Cruise on weekends. Some of the recent Hornblower Cruise offerings have included 1-Hour Harbor Cruise: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3pm, 4:15pm. 2-Hour Harbor Cruise: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3pm Scenic Brunch Cruise: 10:30am; Sunset Dinner Cruise: 6:30pm; Whale Watching: 9:30am, 1:30pm (thru March), be sure to stay abreast of the latest times, dates, and buy your tickets at the link provided.

Only in San Diego can you ride the America's Cup Stars & Stripe sailboat. We'll never forget standing atop Point Loma and looking down on this glorious boat as it entered the San Diego Bay some years ago. It was such an exciting time and a site to behold. Now it's really cool that you can ride this elegant, sleek, stealth of a ship. It is the highlight to any San Diego vacation for us water junkies.

The Seal Amphibious Tour takes place on an aquatic-colorfully painted craft that coastguard safe, and makes for a real joy ride in the San Diego Bay.

While our California beach favorite has always been the San Diego Harbor Excursion, a two hour ride on the local seas and placid bays, this boat company has expanded its options to more dining cruises, including the weekend brunch. A recent schedule of events went like this: 1 Hour Harbor Cruise: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3pm, 4:15pm, (5:30pm - Summer Only). 2 Hour Harbor Cruise: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3pm, (4:15pm - Summer Only). Harbor Dinner Cruise: 7:30pm. Sunday Brunch Cruise: 11am. One Hour Harbor Tour and USS Midway Tour: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3pm, 4:15pm (5:30pm - Summer Only). Two Hour Harbor Tour and USS Midway Tour: 10am, 11:15am, 12:30pm, 1:45pm, 3pm, (4:15pm - Summer Only). Whale Watching: 9:45am, 1:30pm. Nature Cruise: 10:15am - 3:45pm Thursday - Sunday. Though these times and trips may change, you'll find some similar offers by clicking on the link provided, where you can also determine availability. The dining cruises really make for great birthday celebrations.

Other boat rides to consider are the Ferry between Ferry Landing in Coronado and the Ferry market in downtown San Diego. Kids can enjoy water themed rides at Belmont Park and other amusements in San Diego. Oh, you can also take a San Diego gondola ride departing from the dock next to Loews Coronado Bay Resort on Coronado Island. We don't happen to sell tickets to the Star of India Ship but recommend this unique ship tour, too.

It's just a matter of how much time do you have to do it all? That's always been our frustration in visiting the southernmost major U.S. West Coast city. But then, that's our excuse for going back to San Diego again and again.

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